PHYSICAL GEOLOGY LAB

INTRODUCTION

Dr. Gregg WilkersonMichael Oldershaw

Earth Science Introduction Lab

Goals:

• Students understand the concept of density

• Students determine densities of various objects

• Students understand the relationship between varioussystems and how they relate

• Students utilize the scientific method to play the game of NIMS and win every time.

Density of Matter – How “heavy” matter isfor it’s size.

Which is heavier?

A pound ofGold?

A pound of feathers

DENSITY- is the comparison of mass to a volume that the mass sits in

A B

Box A and B are equal volumes. Which boxhas more mass?

Box B has more mass in it’s volume and has a higherdensity

Calculating the density of matter

Density = Mass

Volume

Mass (g)Volume (cm3)Density g/cm3

Mass is amount of matterVolume is the “how much space” there is for mass

Calculating Volume of an object:

LW

H

L x W x H

What is the volume of an object with

L = 3 cmW = 2 cmH = 3 cm

18 cm3

Find the volume of the following objects

102

3

4

6

2

12

12

V = 60 cm3

V = 48 cm3

V = 24 cm3

Calculating the density of matter:

Density = Mass

VolumeD

M

VX

Calculate the following densities:

M = 35gV = 7 cm3

D =

M = 20gV = 10 cm3

D =

M = V = 4 cm3

D = 5 g/cm3

M = V = 2 cm3

D = 6 g/cm3

M = 25gV = D = 5 g/cm3

M = 8gV =D = 8 g/cm3

5 g/cm3 2 g/cm3

20g

12g5 cm3 1 cm3

How does density relate to a solid, liquid andgas?

Let’s assume equal volumes below. Which volumehas the most to least density?

Solid Liquid Gas

Most Least

So, what happens to the density of matterwhen changing from a solid to liquid to gas?

Examples:

(Think of how the particles appear in a solid,liquid and gas)

Solid SolidNo density change

liquid Vapor(gas)

liquid Gas

Change in density

D=36/9

D=12/3

4

4

Change in density occurs:

• density will change when moving from onephase of matter to another:

solid----liquidliquid----gasgas ---- liquidsolid --- liquid --gas

Does all matter float? –Yes, it depends onthe density!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Density of Water is1.0 g/cm3

Any matter with a density GREATER than waterwill SINK

Any matter with a density LESS than waterwill FLOAT

Water = 1.0 g/cm3

What objects will sink or float?

3.2

.6

1.8

19.3Au

.9

g/cm3

Where will the following objects float in thefollowing fluid densities?

1.0

3.0

5.0

7.0

9.0

4.0

.7

6.0

9.5

5.0

g/cm3

A lower densitymaterial will alwaysFLOAT on a higher densitymaterial

Earth as a system:• How systems exchange matter and energy

SUN

IsolatedSystem

No exchange ofmatter or energy

SUN

ClosedSystem

Exchange of energybut, no matter

SUN

OpenSystem

Exchange of bothmatter and energy

Which system is the Earth?

The fragile Earth as a closed system is supported by fourinterrelated open systems

LithosphereRepresents the solid earth

minerals, rocks, and interior

Atmosphere:Thin blanket of gas keeping

life alive, warm, and protected

Hydrosphere:Interaction of all water processes,

only planet with water71% ocean, 12,500 feet deepstreams, lakes, groundwater

Biosphere:Includes all living

organisms on land, in water, and in air

GeosphereInteraction of

all open systems

Scientific Inquiry – How do we know earth processes are accurate?

The Scientific MethodA set of logical steps scientist use to “get to the

truth” of processes acting in the universe

Making ObservationsCollecting facts, asking why questions,

Making a Hypothesis (predictions on why)explaining how and why it works (after fact finding)

“educated guessing”Testing the hypothesis (experimenting)

performing experimentations that test the accuracythe hypothesis

Scientific Theorywell tested hypothesis – widely accepted view that

explains the observable facts 16

Part D – Scientific Method

The Game of NIM’s

Objective:Use the scientific method to find strategies that allow

you to win EVERYTIME!!!

1.On each turn, you can take as many chips out of anyONE row you desire.

2. You CANNOT take chips out of columns.

3. The person taking the last chip loses.

RowsColumns

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Part-DUse the last page (scientific method)

Record your

• observations (the way the game is played

• hypothesis (predictions to win)

• test your hypothesis (experiment)

• What strategies are working

• Do you win every-time (theory)

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